VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Pope Benedict XVI and representatives of the
world's major religions will make speeches and sign a common commitment
to peace when they meet in Assisi in October, but they will not pray
together, the Vatican said.

In fact, Pope Benedict's formal prayer service will be held at the
Vatican the evening before the encounter Oct. 27 in Assisi with leaders
of other Christian communities and representatives of the world's main
religions.

The October gathering will commemorate the 25th anniversary of Pope John
Paul II's "prayer for peace" encounter in Assisi. The 1986 event was
seen by many as a milestone in interreligious relations but was
criticized by some Catholics who said it appeared to inappropriately mix
elements from Christian and non-Christian religions.

The Vatican press office issued a statement April 2 giving the theme for
the 2011 event— "Pilgrims of Truth, Pilgrims of Peace"—and a
general outline of events.

"Every human being is ultimately a pilgrim in search of truth and goodness," the Vatican statement said.

The search requires people to enter into dialogue with others,
"believers and unbelievers alike, without sacrificing one's own identity
or indulging in forms of syncretism" where elements of different
religions are used indiscriminately, the statement said.

"To the extent that the pilgrimage of truth is authentically lived, it
opens the path to dialogue with the other, it excludes no one and it
commits everyone to be a builder of fraternity and peace. These are the
elements that the Holy Father wishes to place at the center of
reflection," the Vatican said.

The statement said Pope Benedict will prepare for the Assisi gathering
by hosting a prayer service with Catholics from the Diocese of Rome in
St. Peter's Basilica Oct. 26.

Other Catholic dioceses and other Christian communities are encouraged to organize similar prayer services, the statement said.

The Vatican said the pope was inviting to Assisi representatives of
other religions, other Christian communities and representatives of the
worlds of culture and science who do not profess a religious belief, but
who "regard themselves as seekers of the truth and are conscious of a
shared responsibility for the cause of justice and peace." The
pontifical councils for interreligious dialogue, for promoting Christian
unity and for culture are distributing the invitations.

Pope Benedict and other participants will take a train to Assisi Oct. 27, the statement said.

After speeches in the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, there will be a
simple lunch, followed by "a period of silence for individual
reflection and prayer."

In the afternoon, participants will go in pilgrimage to the Basilica of
St. Francis, the saint's resting place, where they will make "a solemn
renewal of the joint commitment to peace," the Vatican said.